The vice president-elect -- in his capacity as outgoing Senate Foreign Relations chair -- will leave later this week with a bipartisan delegation. Biden spokeswoman says the purpose of the trip is "fact-finding," will help as the executive branch reviews policy in the region. Sens. Kerry, Reed, Collins and Graham will join Biden on the trip.      

Meeting with congressional leaders from both parties, the president-elect emphasizes the need to work together to fix the economy. "My commitment as the incoming president is going to be to reach out across the aisle to both chambers to listen and not just talk, to not just try to dictate but try to create a genuine partnership..." Read pool report here. Plus: To see who attended the meeting, click here.       

The Minnesota panel certifies the results of the recount Monday, finds Franken edged out incumbent Coleman by 225 votes. No election certificate can be issued for at least seven days, giving Coleman the opportunity to file a legal challenge. Coleman statement: "The actions today by the Canvassing Board are but the first step in what, unfortunately, will now have to be a longer process." Earlier: Minnesota's supreme court rejects a Coleman request to count hundreds of absentee ballots from GOP-leaning areas.      

The president-elect tells reporters after his meeting with economic advisers in D.C. that his team and Congress need to act quickly on a stimulus. Says the economy is "getting worse," he's looking forward to meeting with Democratic and Republican congressional leaders Monday. "They share the same sense of urgency that I do -- that we are going to move quickly and we're not going to get bogged down in a lot of old-style politics on either side." More remarks here. Read pool report here.       

The former Clinton White House chief of staff is expected to be nominated by Obama to head the intelligence agency. NY Times: "...Panetta is a somewhat unusual choice to lead the C.I.A., an agency that has been unwelcoming to previous directors perceived as outsiders..." Plus: Dennis Blair is tapped as Obama's director of national intelligence.      

The Illinois Senate appointee defends accepting the position from Blagojevich in a defiant press conference Monday before leaving Chicago for D.C. "I don't have to separate myself from Rod Blagojevich. This is all politics and theater but I am the junior Senator according to every law book in the nation." Earlier: The secretary of the Senate declines to formally accept Burris' nomination certificate, as it lacks the signature of Illinois' secretary of state. Plus: Illinois' impeachment panel subpoenas Burris to testify on the Blago scandal Wednesday.      

He announces a special primary election for Illinois' 5th Congressional District on March 3, followed by a general election April 7. The incoming Obama chief of staff officially resigned his house seat Friday.      

The automaker posts a 32% decline in December. Honda says U.S. sales fell even more — 35%. Grim numbers also expected from Chrysler and GM.      

The former commerce secretary pick tells reporters in Santa Fe Monday that his decision to withdraw his name from the post was "difficult" but thought it necessary. Richardson made the announcement Sunday, citing an ongoing investigation into an alleged "pay-to-play" scheme in New Mexico. He denies wrongdoing. Obama team defends its vetting process. More details here.      

A federal judge grants prosecutors an extra three months to seek an indictment of the Illinois governor. The deadline is extended from Jan. 7 to April 7. Prosecutors sought the extension last week, citing the complexity of their investigation.      

The president-elect praises the House speaker at the start of a meeting in Pelosi's office Monday morning. "I can't think of a better partner in doing what is necessary to get this economy back on track..." Pelosi says she's looking forward to swearing in a new Congress Tuesday, plans to "hit the ground running." Pool report here. Click above to watch. Full remarks here. Plus: Obama set to give major economic speech in D.C. Thursday to sell his stimulus package.       

The New Yorker takes a (typically long) look at the Massachusetts Congressman's new power in Washington.      

President offers his first on-camera remarks about Israel's weekend ground invasion into the Gaza Strip, expressing support for “Israel's desire to protect herself.” Says the U.S. is concerned about humanitarian crisis but believes anti-democratic forces must be fought. “All of us would like to see violence stop but not at the expense of an agreement that does not prevent the crisis from happening again.”      

The president-elect nominates the Harvard Law School dean to the justice post. She's the first woman to be named to the job. Also picks David Ogden as deputy Attorney General, Tom Perrelli as associate Attorney General and Dawn Johnsen as assistant Attorney General for the Office of Legal Counsel. Read release here.       

Bill Clinton, Joe Biden and Ted Kennedy all deliver remarks at Wednesday's funeral for former Democratic Senator Claiborne Pell. A line of mourners, which included Senate Majority Leader Reid, stretched around the block.      

Nearly 54,000 donors contribute $3.8 million to the transition effort as of December 15. Details here.       

Michelle Obama accompanies her daughters on their first day at the Sidwell Friends school Monday morning. Sasha is attending second grade at the school's elementary campus in Bethesda, Maryland while Malia starts fifth grade at the middle school campus in D.C. Read pool report here. PHOTOS: More pictures of the girls' first day here.